Captain

Five days after Virginia passed the Ordinance of Secession, William Rice, a twenty-seven year old merchant in New Market Town, Shenandoah, Virginia, called a town meeting, raised his own battery and organized what became on April 22nd the 'Eighth Star Artillery'. The name was derived from Virginia, having become the eighth state to secede and the eighth star in the Confederate 1st National Flag.

Corporal

Right, even Troiani can make mistakes and I have spotted them in his work, but I thought I'd post those here as that's all I had on hand at the moment. I was actually wondering if anyone could point out anything in particular on the Lumsden Battery print, especially the jacket on the No. 3 man with his thumb on the vent. Is there a surviving example of this jacket?

My first thought was a North Carolina, or Atlanta Depot jacket due to the 6 button front. The most obvious difference between the two styles is the plumb edge collar on the Atlanta Depot jackets. The North Carolina jacket would be improbable, but not impossible, considering that Lumsden's battery was an Alabama unit. After closer examination however, the coat depicted has a red collar which is not a feature associated with either style coat. I would wager that Mr. Troiani depicted the #3 man in a simple private purchase jacket.

Captain

Frock coat of 2nd Lieutenant George E. Savile, who enlisted as a corporal in Capt. William Watts Parker's Co. Virginia Light Artillery, later Co. D, Alexander's and Huger's Battalion Artillery. Savile was promoted to 2nd Lt. in October 1862. He died of disease in April 1864 shortly after returning to duty from furlough.

Attachments

2nd Lieutenant

Soldiers like to be distinctive. If there was any opportunity to add red to a uniform to designate artillery, I think the soldier would try it. Naturally, staying warm and dry took priority, but given the chance you will see the gunners with red. In the confusion of battle there is some security in being near men you can recognize.

Sergeant

For various pictures of CSA Artillery Dress
See Francis MIller's "Photograhic History of the Civil War" Vol 5 . "Forts and Artillery"
p. 65 picture of Rutledges Tenn Battery members
p.70 picture of Captain John Donnel Smith
p.73 for pictures of Frank Huger and William T. Pogue;

Also go the April 1865 Roche Pictures of CSA dead in Petersburg trenches-at least one I think is wearing red trimmed Gray Uniform

My first thought was a North Carolina, or Atlanta Depot jacket due to the 6 button front. The most obvious difference between the two styles is the plumb edge collar on the Atlanta Depot jackets. The North Carolina jacket would be improbable, but not impossible, considering that Lumsden's battery was an Alabama unit. After closer examination however, the coat depicted has a red collar which is not a feature associated with either style coat. I would wager that Mr. Troiani depicted the #3 man in a simple private purchase jacket.

That's so odd because you saw that picture I had of Pvt. Wilborn of Lumsden's Battery wearing an infantry style blue-trimmed Columbus Depot jacket. Perhaps some got different jackets depending on the time?

Corporal

That's so odd because you saw that picture I had of Pvt. Wilborn of Lumsden's Battery wearing an infantry style blue-trimmed Columbus Depot jacket. Perhaps some got different jackets depending on the time?

He undoubtedly received different uniforms during his service. However, the jacket that Pvt. Searcy is wearing in the photo is not a "Columbus" Depot jacket. It has a clearly visible seam in the sleeves, indicating a 2 piece sleeve, and also lacks cuff trim, although there is some shadowing near the cuffs that will make you look twice. It also appears to me that there could be piping down the front of the jacket on the button hole side, but I did not enlarge the photo enough to confirm.

Corporal

He undoubtedly received different uniforms during his service. However, the jacket that Pvt. Searcy is wearing in the photo is not a "Columbus" Depot jacket. It has a clearly visible seam in the sleeves, indicating a 2 piece sleeve, and also lacks cuff trim, although there is some shadowing near the cuffs that will make you look twice. It also appears to me that there could be piping down the front of the jacket on the button hole side, but I did not enlarge the photo enough to confirm.

Corporal

That is where I saw the picture the other day in a google book! That roster of the men in Ward's Artillery was published in the I believe in 1905 in the Limestone County,Alabama Democrat Newspaper. BGB, I am glad your got to see the picture of your Great Grandfather James T. Searcy! I will read the material you sent.